My favorite affordable, quality shorts are ???

[ToddTaylor]

I've needed some new riding shorts for quite some time now, but it seems like most shorts are pushing $50+ each, which means that buying shorts is actually quite an expensive ordeal... especially if you want to buy a few pairs.

I typically perfer simple black, 8-panel lycra shorts, but my local bike shops seem to only stock a few insanely expensive pairs for $80+ which I feel is way too much money for some lycra fabric and a chamois pad That pretty much leaves me to shopping online if I want to find affordable shorts. The problem with that is I can not tell what the quality level of a pair of shorts is by looking at them online.

So, what I'm asking for is your opinion on what *affordable* shorts you like, and were you get them. I know that everyone's opinions will differ, but I'd simply like a few opinions before I dump a few hundred dollars on some shorts!

Oh, I'm 6'1", 167 lbs., and a pretty skinny guy (probably like many of you )... if that matters.

 

[jtfleming]

I have had good luck with Olympia Sports branded shorts which I use as my "my expensive shorts are all dirty" back-ups. Gel, sandwiched in lycra, not chamois, and a little bit shorter than the Diamondbacks that I love.

 

[rek]

I get the cheapy Prorace shorts that they have on www.probikekit.com. They're cheap, and have a lot of padding.

 

[BugMan]

The cheap shorts actually cost you more in the long run - you end up replacing them more often because they've worn out or just don't do the job you bought them to do.

 

[BaCardi]

Assos bib shorts are great, but I'm not spending $100 for a freaking pair of shorts again. I can't wait until Adidas and Nike get into real cycling apparel manufacturing bib shorts, lowering the prices, and push Assos and other primo Italiam companies out of the market.

 

[ToddTaylor]

Originally posted by BaCardi
Assos bib shorts are great, but I'm not spending $100 for a freaking pair of shorts again. I can't wait until Adidas and Nike get into real cycling apparel manufacturing bib shorts, lowering the prices, and push Assos and other primo Italiam companies out of the market.

I hear that! I've owned expensive shorts before and I personally think they don't last longer, they just cost more. Granted, the fit-n-finish on a $100+ pair of shorts is certainly going to be much nicer than that of a $30 pair, but there seems to be a happy "middle ground" in there somewhere.

Yes, it would be nice if some big companys started mass-producing quality cycling clothing, but then again, Nike isn't exactly known for it's low-prices either

 

[tjstoner]

VOLER Bibs

 

[jtfleming]

Reebok mass produces shorts that run around $45 USD and are pretty good quality. Often available in standard sporting goods stores.

 

[frenk]

Castelli are not bad, not too expensive (40-50 euros, about 40-50$), good quality and last a quite long time, in my opinion.

 

[Sidi]

I'll second the motion.

VOLER Bibs!

 

[rlroadie]

Originally posted by Sidi
I'll second the motion.

VOLER Bibs!

...and I triple that motion - VOLER Bibs - have several sets and have not been able to wear them out. Good cost also...

rlroadie

 

[cj8749]

Originally posted by ToddTaylor
I've needed some new riding shorts for quite some time now, but it seems like most shorts are pushing $50+ each, which means that buying shorts is actually quite an expensive ordeal... especially if you want to buy a few pairs.

I typically perfer simple black, 8-panel lycra shorts, but my local bike shops seem to only stock a few insanely expensive pairs for $80+ which I feel is way too much money for some lycra fabric and a chamois pad That pretty much leaves me to shopping online if I want to find affordable shorts. The problem with that is I can not tell what the quality level of a pair of shorts is by looking at them online.

So, what I'm asking for is your opinion on what *affordable* shorts you like, and were you get them. I know that everyone's opinions will differ, but I'd simply like a few opinions before I dump a few hundred dollars on some shorts!

Oh, I'm 6'1", 167 lbs., and a pretty skinny guy (probably like many of you )... if that matters.